Senate body directs FIA to continue probe E-services project

Senate standing committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication Tuesday directed Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to continue the investigation on the issue and let CDA, LMKR and NITB work smoothly. The committee met under the chairmanship of Senator Shahi Syed while Senator Syed Shibli Faraz, Gianchand, Rubina Khalid, Dr Ghous Muhammad Khan Niazi, Naseema Ehsan and Muhammad Javed Abbasi also attended the meeting.

The Senate body directed Capital Development Authority (CDA, National Information Technology Board (NITB) and LMK Recourses to continue the work on the E-services project as all are willing to work together and periodically update the progress to the next standing committee.

The Chairman said strict action would be taken against who created problems in the completion of the project. The detailed report will be forwarded to next standing committee and next body will follow the issue, he added.

Secretary Information Technology Syed Khalid Gardezi said "It is very easy to take action against private companies as FIR has been filed against CEO LMKR Atif Waheed on the other hand FIR has filed against contractual employee of CDA and NIBT."

Senator Shibli Faraz said there is a need to change the functioning and approach of government departments as CDA is not performing its duty appropriately, which ultimately force public to opt for illegal means, even for genuine purposes. 

The committee was briefed that different meetings have taken place after last standing committee meeting on February 21, in which official of CDA, LMKR and NITB were present but the issue was reluctance of CDA to sign the agreement.

Diector LMKR Haroon Sharif assured the committee that specific kinks will be removed in the software and verification process is under way.

He said the software will be deployed after verification and it would be upgraded, as per the requirements. So far, 15 per cent to 20 per cent changes had been developed in 10 years as the software was developed in 2008-09, he added.   He told the committee that “we will get last payment of 25% after final sign-off."